Psychiatric disorders among children and adolescents with active epilepsy in southwestern Uganda

INTRODUCTION: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of emotional, behavioral, developmental and psychosis related disorders among children and adolescents with active epilepsy aged 5 to 18 years in southwestern Uganda. METHODS: we conducted a cross sectional study at one big urban hospital, two rural health centers and one rural special needs school. The disorders were assessed using an adapted parent version of the Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory-5 (CASI-5). RESULTS: one hundred sixty one participants were assessed, and 93 (57.8%) had at least one psychiatric disorder. Developmental disorders were the most prevalent at 39.8% (95%CI 32.11 - 47.39), followed by emotional disorders, 30.4% (95%CI 23.25-37.62), behavioral disorders, 7.5% (95%CI 3.35-11.55) and psychosis related disorders, 6.2% (95%CI 2.44 - 9.98). Thirty nine participants (24.2%) had at least two psychiatric disorders. Developmental disorders were associated with younger age (aOR = 0.86, p=0.001) and having epilepsy-related physical injuries and deformities (aOR = 2.36, p=0.036). Emotional disorders (aOR =1.13, p=0.007) and psychosis related disorders (aOR = 1.44, p=0.007) were associated with increasing age, whereas a family history of epilepsy was protective (aOR = 0.22, p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: psychiatric disorders were highly prevalent among children and adolescents with epilepsy in southwestern Uganda; highlighting the need to integrate screening and management of these disorders into routine epilepsy care.